I Felt Right at Home

Today was a memorable day, as my daughter Becky and I, Ernie, were able to return to Canon Lodge to have supper with our dear friends, Gene Crawford (far right), Ken Wilson (far left) and Jess Price (not pictured). Not surprising, I felt right at home meeting the folks that looked after me during my Rehab weeks. A very wonderful group of Nurses, CNA, therapists, PCC Nursing Trainees and administrators. Their housekeeping, as usual, was spotless.

Becky took this picture of me last Monday before I left Canon Lodge. You'll notice I was sitting in a wheelchair. Today I WALKED everywhere with the aid of my walker. Becky didn't bring her camera today because she was walking by my side every step, watching so I wouldn't fall. I'm getting stronger every day. On Sunday I'm going to leave my wheelchair at home and I'll go to church with my daughter Becky and my son-in-law Jamie. And I'll be WALKING! Then we'll have a nice dinner out to celebrate our Father's Day.

Last year Jamie was working on Father's Day so Becky came to my house for the afternoon so we could discuss our family history. She works a lot on our family's genealogy. I told her quite a lot of stories and went through 2 or 3 photo albums identifying folks from years ago. It was sure fun to reminisce. I was surprised I was able to remember so many names with faces. Becky said she wasn't surprised at all!

I'm Starting a New Day at Home

It is Tuesday morning and I've had the Home Care Nurse stop by and dress my ankle ulcer and had my breakfast. It's almost my nap time, hm-m. I was up at 5:15 AM, to get my Diabetes chores out of the way, (glucose was 148 this morning and have given myself the 8 units of insulin shot). Upon my departure yesterday from Canon Lodge after our noon lunch, I was thrilled to have Allen Stecklein stop in. He goes by "The Whistlin' Cowboy". He recently was invited to appear with 'America Has Talent' or such a TV program. He is good!

It is good to be home. It did not take long for me to feel NORMAL again. What a Blessing. Still a little slow getting around, slow but sure, one step at a time. Not able to do a JIG yet, but I feel great and am happy. The people at Canon Lodge were wonderful. One on One care and encouragement kept my spirits high. I am in better health today than I was before I encounterd the broken leg. I learn a lot about the human body and physiology. When you get my age (87) it pays to learn the workings of your body. It requires proper maintenance just as any working machine. Again, thanks to all of you for your greeting cards, letters, and prayers. I could not have recovered without your help. Stay in Touch. Talk to you later, bye!

LOVE TO ALL. Ernie

Home Sweet Home!

I left home Feb. 16 to go to the hospital in Pueblo, CO for arterial bypass surgery on my right leg. I thought I'd heal and return home by the end of February. But my return home didn't happen until TODAY! I was in the hospital for 2 weeks, but then recuperated in a nursing home in Pueblo, Co until April 1st, then I moved to Canon Lodge so I'd be back in my hometown of Canon City, CO, nearer to my daughter.

I've been in a wheelchair since I broke my left leg in two places last July 29, 2008. Today I WALKED out of the nursing home and I WALKED into my house! I've had such good care at Canon Lodge and I've worked very hard daily to rebuild my strength, my balance, my stamina and endurance. I have diabetes, and I've been taking better care of myself since I learned the technique of "carb counting" from the Diabetic Care Center while I was hospitalized in Pueblo in March.

Here's a picture my daughter Becky took as I was walking into my house at noon today. She was sure proud of me.

As soon as I got inside and was able to sit down I called my brother in Derby, Kansas. I haven't been able to (nor have I wanted to) use a phone since the end of March, so we had a lot of catching up to do.

My daughter Becky took some pictures as I was going to lunch today, before we left the nursing home. This is a picture of me with my two dining buddies, Ken Wilson and Gene Crawford. Becky's going to take me back over there next Friday so we can visit and eat together again. They don't get any other visitors.

I was happy to get a visit before I left from Allen Stecklein, at left, who performs around the area as "The Whistling Cowboy". He offers a very spiritual musical program and is such a great entertainer.
I had such good visits with my friend Ruby, in the picture here with me. She's the Activity Director at Canon Lodge, and also serves as the driver when needed. She took me to a doctor's appointment and a concert, but mostly what I enjoyed was her personal visits and encouragement. She's a treasure and I'm going to miss her, as well as many other wonderful friends I made while I lived there.

A nurse is coming to my house twice a day to change the dressing on the wound on my right ankle. And my daughter's going to visit me daily, so I'm happy at my house and I'm sure I'll get along okay in the days ahead. I'll post another update by the end of the week to let you all, my dear friends, know how I'm doing.

I want to close by saying thank you very much to you, my dear friends, for your prayers, good wishes, thoughts, cards and letters. It's a miracle that I've been able to come back home. Last Feb. the doctor told me he didn't think I'd survive a surgery because of my weak heart and coronary artery disease. Then he thought if I survived, he'd have to amputate my toes or my lower leg. I haven't had anything amputated and I'm out of that wheelchair and I'm walking! I know it was PRAYER that made the difference. Prayer and the love and support of my family and friends. Thank you all!

Puckerbrush Blog Award of Excellence

This award has already had quite a journey as far as I can tell. From Randy Seaver to Kathryn Doyle to Thomas MacEntee, to my daughter Becky Jamison to Judith Richards Shubert, to me!

Thank you, Judy! When I'm living back in my home, and can spend more time on my computer again, I'll decide who I want to pass this on to and get back to my blogging. I've missed it and sure have a lot of stories to relate to my friends about my experiences of the last 4 months! Stay tuned.